DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,130

LEE MIDDLETON ORIGINAL DOLLS, INC.
BELPRE, OHIO

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of its investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph
(a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met.
It is determined in this case that the requirements of (a)(2)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on June 23, 2004, in response
to a petition filed by the company on behalf of workers at Lee
Middleton Original Dolls, Inc., Belpre, Ohio. The workers are
engaged in employment related to the production of dolls.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the
subject firm declined during the relevant period.
The investigation further revealed that the subject firm
increased its reliance on imports of dolls during the relevant
period.
In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26 USC
2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of its investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance (ATAA) for
older workers.
In addition, In order for the Department to issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group
eligibility requirements of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be
met. The Department has determined in this case that the
requirements of Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or over
and possess skills that are not easily transferable. Competitive
conditions within the industry are adverse.


Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with products produced by the subject
firm or subdivision contributed importantly to the total or partial
separation of workers and to the decline in sales or production and
at that firm or subdivision.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers of Lee Middleton Original Dolls, Inc., Belpre,
Ohio, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after June 22, 2003 through two years from
the date of certification are eligible to apply for adjustment
assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are
also eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment
assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 12th day of July, 2004.

/s/ Linda G. Poole
_____________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance